News by Subject

Brief sexual relationships 'increase health risks for mother and baby'

(The Scotsman 14/11/2009)

WOMEN are more likely to have complicated pregnancies and underweight babies if they have been sleeping with the father for less than six months, new research claims. The controversial findings of the medical study suggest the risks are halved for mothers who have had longer sexual relationships with the biological father of their child. Mothers who suffered pre-eclampsia were twice as likely as other women to have been in a relationship of six months or less with the father.

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Epilepsy drugs 'increase risk of pregnancy complications'

(The Scotsman 23/09/2009)

THE use of anti-epileptic drugs in pregnancy might increase the risk of complications. A study has found that three drugs used as standard in the UK - carbamazepine, lamotrigine and sodium valproate - might increase the likelihood of conditions such as pre-eclampsia, which is linked to high blood pressure. Researchers in Norway analysed 2,805 pregnancies in women with a history of epilepsy and compared them with 362,302 pregnancies in women without the condition.

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Women who exercise during pregnancy face risk of pre-eclampsia, researchers warn

(Daily Mail 04/12/2008)

In a study involving 85,000 females they found that jogging for more than 75 minutes a week more than doubled the risk of pre-eclampsia. Women who exercise for between 4.5 and 7 hours a week are 65% more likely to develop severe pre-eclampsia. Those who did more than 7 hours a week were 78% more likely to have the condition [more research required].

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Screening hope for pre-eclampsia

(BBC 28/10/2008)

A blood test that screens pregnant woman for pre-eclampsia could be available in five years, doctors predict.

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